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Tranquil spa-inspired designs
Even though it's just the first week back to the office, there's no reason you can't consider checking in for some post-holiday pampering. (And, pick up some design ideas and inspiration for your own space while you're at it). Here are some options to consider for relaxing, design daydreaming, and bringing a little bit of spa into your home:
Nob Hill Spa's newly unveiled Zen Room is just that: zen. So, although you may have just used up all of your vacation days, the space designed by Wisecracker Design (who also renovated 39 rooms at the Huntington Hotel) is outfitted with soft sea green accents, black-and-white wall prints, comfy lounge chairs, and fluffy animal-inspired pillows. Spend some time lounging in the room pre-treatment, and you might feel as though you've been transported on a far-flung getaway. The indoor heated pool right outside the door makes it even more convincing.
If you find yourself on a road-trip to LA anytime soon (or maybe on your next weekend jaunt), don't miss the new Ritz-Carlton Spa, at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles. Layered in whites, soft golds, and caramel hues, the spa is nothing but glamorous. But, the best part might just be the spa's "happiest hour" (3pm-6pm on Thursdays-Sundays) for free sparkling wine and small bites from the hotel's chef Eric Branger. If you decide to stick around and book an appointment, you'll also snag 20% off all retail products and a complimentary make-up application. (Not to mention access to the hotel's gym and rooftop pool. Not a bad deal).
The pretty tufted lounges in the waiting room would be ideal for a place for reading and lounging in an elegant bedroom or guest room.
And, I love these futuristic light fixtures that are delicate and girly, but just a bit edgy too.
For a rustic-meets-minimalist retreat and ideas on creating a light and airy space without being mundane, check out Solage Calistoga and The Carneros Inn (two of my favorite Farmhouse-style designs with a modern edge).
The view just outside the spa at The Carneros Inn
I also like Cavallo Point's clean-lined spa with floor-to-ceiling windows framed by trees. It's modern, but still maintains a warm and cozy vibe. Before you leave, linger with a cup of tea at the Tea Bar.
| January 05 2011 at 06:00 AM
10 ways with wallpaper
For me, wallpaper is like jewelry for a room. But, it's always good to look beyond it as just something on the wall. A while back, I interviewed Christiana Coop, wallpaper expert, and founder of Hugge & West boutique, (who also now works as an interior designer with Rachel Eden of Jackson Square's Eden and Eden) and got inspired.
Here's 10 ideas (and some new patterns) to get you started. Hint: instead of messy paste, you can use double-sides tape for small projects.
1. Use it like art to create an accent wall.
2. Update an old bookcase. Line the inside of bookshelves only (and paint the outer frame and trim a glossy hue).
3. Cover clipboards, wastebaskets (with smooth surfaces), umbrella stands, photo boxes, and tray tables with it.
4. Use it in between stair risers.
5. Dress up the closet door.
6. Give an old nightstand a new look by topping it with your favorite pattern.
7. Reinvent a dated lamp and use paper to line the outside of a drum shade.
8. In your home office, cover pencil cups, magazine holders, and desk trays with a pretty pattern.
9. Turn the armoire into a storage closet, and line glass doors with wallpaper. (It's a good solution for hiding clutter too).
10. Give tired kitchen cabinets a new look. (You can also laminate rectangular shapes of wallpaper to match. Use as placemats for the dining room table).
| December 29 2010 at 06:00 AM
Lori Weitzner's subtle patterns
You don't need bright colors and bold patterns to make a statement with wallpapers. Lori Weitzner's subtle wallcoverings steal the spotlight with their quiet elegance.
These patterns would work in any room.
I'll be on vacation for the next couple of weeks, and will return on August 9. In the meantime, happy summer!
| July 26 2010 at 08:28 AM
Maximizing a basement to its full potential
A big part of the reason we chose the house we live in now was its potential. The main floor was as perfect as it was when it was originally built -- two bedrooms and one bathroom, plus one tiny corner room we used as an office/guestroom and a water closet (a room with just a toilet in it). But with all the family and friends we had coming through, and with me working from home, the tiny room served neither purpose well.
But down the stairs to the garage led to a big, cavernous space, about 500 square feet. Originally, the architect had meant for this space to be used as something other than storage, the way all the owners had used it until now. The wood-paned windows came original with the house, and it's far above ground, so the potential to make into a livable space was as big as the space itself.
We waited, and we saved. Most of our savings first went to fix the foundation, the benefits of which we know will serve us, but that we couldn't touch, feel, or use.
We waited and we saved some more. And finally, after six years of living in the house, we're able to use it for its true potential.
I decided to divide the space into two areas: an office and a guestroom. We added French doors between the two rooms, and that keeps the area feeling airy and open, but the doors can be closed for privacy if needed.
Here's how the office turned out. My vintage Danish teak desk finally gets to shine in its airy surroundings. The bungee cord chair is from CB2, and is probably the most comfortable chair I've ever used. My husband says he wants to finish the windows himself -- repair them and paint them -- but I love the color of the old wood and am happy to leave them as they are. The floor is covered and softened with Flor carpet tiles.
Tina Barseghian
On the other side of the room, I wanted to make a space for my daughter to do her homework and make art, so I designated a table and a couple of vintage chairs for another workspace. I covered the face of the metal filing cabinet with Ikea wall decals. I can swap them out when I'm tired of them.
Tina Barseghian
My Ikea Expedit bookshelves hold all my favorite magazines and some quirky finds, like the red lantern I snagged from a sundries shop in Oakland's Chinatown.
Tina Barseghian
Tina Barseghian
The guestroom is still fairly bare-bones. We've got a sitting area by the window and a bed. Eventually, we'd like to replace the chairs with a small, comfortable couch and possibly a TV hooked up to a Wii for a play area.
Tina Barseghian
Tina Barseghian
This part of the brick wall is the bottom portion of the fireplace in the living room directly above it. It doesn't serve a purpose, but I love the texture and color it brings the room.
Tina Barseghian
And with an additional bathroom down here, all of us -- those of us who live there, and all those who come to stay with us -- are happy to use every luxurious inch of space.
Tina Barseghian
| July 22 2010 at 10:59 AM
Wallpapered entryway
If the idea of covering an entire room with wallpaper sounds like too much of a commitment, think about covering a small space, like an entryway.
It's immediately visible, so it makes a strong visual impact upon entrance. And more likely than not, you can see it from different parts of the house.
I used vintage wallpaper in my entryway, which can be seen from the dining room, living room, and breakfast room. It's just enough of an interesting focal point, but doesn't overwhelm the senses.
Tina Barseghian
Here's a gorgeous turquoise paisley that instantly elevates the space:
When contained to a small space, this punchy pattern can work.
A traditional Victorian hallway benefits from a variety of wallpaper patterns.
A chic plaid in the entryway appeals to my preppy side. Classic.
| July 12 2010 at 10:20 AM
Outdoor color with paper lanterns
These gloomy summer mornings call for bright colors to cheer us up. An inexpensive and fun way of doing this is by hanging colorful paper lanterns around the backyard or terrace, or even inside the dining room.
At Kinokunya Bookstore in Japantown, I found a string of these rainbow-colored lanterns that light up. I don't think I'll ever use the plug, but I love the way they brighten up the gazebo even without the use of electricity.
Tina Barseghian
I also found globes in this gorgeous Japanese paper, and immediately hung them up when I got home.
Tina Barseghian
These pink pretties are hung from tree branches to set a lovely twilight mood.
Real Simple
A more elaborate setup with different shapes and colors here.
Cute Pink Stuff
I'll be going to Chinatown to look for more styles and patterns this weekend, too.
| July 07 2010 at 10:45 AM
Design + music mashup
Los Angeles-based blogger Irene Lovett has come up with an inventive idea: matching up album covers with luscious images of interiors. She calls it Music to My Eyes.
Lucky Magazine used to do something similar: using colors and patterns of an outfit to create room decor.
Here are a few of Irene's matches, with images of homes she finds on various design blogs.
Bjork's Voltra
.
The Yeah Yeah Yeah's It's Blitz
The Flaming Lips Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Mazzy Star's So Tonight That I Might See
And my favorite, The XX.
It's a fun idea, and harder to pull off than it looks. Matching up colors is easy enough, but she's also managed to recreate the mood evoked on the album cover. I look forward to seeing more of these.
| June 28 2010 at 10:28 AM
A Craftsman bungalow turns 100, gracefully
Maxi Lilley's 1910 Craftsman bungalow in Oakland looks a lot different now than it did 100 years ago. Lilley, a landscape designer by trade who's now venturing into interiors, got to flex her creative muscles during the remodel project.
Rather than stick to traditional materials, Lilley had fun sourcing and using unexpected materials around the house, which now features a second floor. Take a look.
The original clinker brick porch was preserved, and a second story was added above it, just as though it had always been there.
Maxi Lilley
The retro kitchen features the 1957 O'Keefe & Merritt stove that came with the house. Countertops are by Concreteworks, and the tile backsplash is Modwalls. Cabinets are walnut and laminate, and hidden under the cookbook shelf is a wine bar.
Maxi Lilley
The eat-in end of the kitchen features a storage bench in walnut and a walnut/laminate pantry/wine rack peninsula. The other side of the peninsula doubles as a den with a TV alcove and small home office.
Open Homes Photography
The original fireplaces were kept in the dining room and living room, as were the bungalow trim and boxbeam ceilings, all of which blend nicely with the Danish modern furnishings.
Open Homes Photography
The upstairs family room allows a welcoming and comfortable space to lounge and play games.
Maxi Lilley
The garden fence features recycled resin panels from 3-Form with birch twig inlays.
Maxi Lilley
Another peek into the garden.
Maxi Lilley
A plywood wall sculpture (Lilley's own design) occupies the stairwell.
Maxi Lilley
Another recycled resin panel from 3-form encloses the laundry room, and is backlit at night.
Maxi Lilley
Heath dimensional and field tiles in the kids' bathroom.
Maxi Lilley
| June 07 2010 at 10:06 AM
Floral motifs bloom
Floral themes are taking over much of the apparel industry this spring, but they're also showing up in home decor, brightening up rooms with pops of color and fresh looks.
In the bedroom, pretty pink flowers on the duvet are the spotlight of the room.
Understated floral wallpaper in muted colors: elegant but not overwhelming.
Flora pillows softening wooden chairs in the dining room.
Modern take on gramma's florals, from Anthropologie.
These flowers are named and described on the pretty curtains.
Cath Kidston's patterns add a little flourish in the kitchen.
| May 26 2010 at 10:00 AM
A little Heath goes a long way
A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to come up with my own design for a brand new bathroom on the "soft" first floor of my house. I knew what I wanted from the start: Heath tiles in the shower and on the floor. If I could, I'd have every tiled surface covered with Heath's rich colors and cool patterns.
But because we were on a tight budget, we couldn't use Heath for the entire shower. So I improvised by coming up with a plan to have a racing stripe of sorts in a rainbow of colors go along three of the shower walls. My husband and I went to their Sausalito showroom and picked out our favorite tile samples, and arranged them in order: deep turquoise, warm gold, natural shades of taupes and greens and grays. At $1 a sample, I was able use my favorite colors without going over budget.
Tina Barseghian
For our bathroom floor, we struck gold. The lovely sales assistants at Heath showed us their back-stock of seconds and overstock that were a fraction of the price of the original. We found a beautiful 5-inch hexagonal pattern in shades of green that amounted to exactly what we needed for the floor of our tiny bathroom.
Tina Barseghian
I'm thrilled with the outcome. Goes to show that if you're flexible, you can always come up with a plan.
| May 24 2010 at 10:00 AM
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